Author: Brand_New_World_Betsy

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Eliza’s big day out

We had to take Eliza out today: to Chattanooga for a follow-up OB visit for me, a visit to the lactation consultant, a trip to the UTC library to be shown off to Jason’s co-workers, and a visit to the hospital to see Jason’s sister Jenna, who just gave birth to an 8-pound baby boy (Parker) on Dec. 19th…only four days after Eliza! She was a dream…slept really well in the car for the hour to Chattanooga and back. Slept all the way through my doctor visit. She has even gained some weight, which is great news! She’s now 5 lbs, 12 oz…still a tiny little thing.

Today was a good day. We are all tired. Dad is taking a nap. Mom is catching up on emails and Eliza is resting quietly in her Moses basket (thanks, Trav and Samantha!!!!!).

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Mommy update

Just to let everyone know I’m okay! Really tired, of course, but hanging in there. I’m getting used to feeding her almost constantly and snatching naps when I can. I had a bit of a meltdown yesterday when all the news from the pediatrician seemed negative: her weight was down too much, her bilirubin levels too high. But today was much better…she had gained an ounce! Now she is 5 pounds 8 ounces, which seems impossibly small for something that came out of me.

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Doing fine!

We’re still trying to get the hang of things, like breastfeeding and what her different cries mean. But all in all, it was a decent night, and I, for one, am proud of us. Little Eliza seems to be doing well, except for some gas! She is asleep right now, and we’re waiting on a visit from my doctor. I think we’re all anxious to go home, but we will miss the nursery and all the helpful nurses around the clock!

Eliza is truly beautiful, and every time I look at her, I can’t believe she’s here.

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Just a few more days!

Well, it looks like we’re being induced on Sunday, Dec. 16th! Hard to believe she is almost here. We’re extremely excited. I’m a bit nervous, but also confident that I can do this! Stay tuned for updates…and hopefully photos soon! And keep your fingers crossed that all goes well and we get a healthy little Eliza in a few days.

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Brand_New_World Equipment pregnancy

OMG, it’s December

So yeah, that little ticker on the right says less than 20 days to go. YIKES!

Had third and final baby shower today, got lots of great stuff off our registries and other wonderful goodies. Lots of books, which was fantastic. She hasn’t even been born and already she has a good library. Makes sense, given her who her parents are!

We’re pretty much “ready” for the big day: bags packed and in the car at all times, car seat in (although I need to have it checked this week), diapers, wipes, bottles, crib with a sheet and mattress pad on it, her laundry washed. Jason has put her swing together. Now we just need to put batteries in everything (like the monitors). And of course, it would be nice if I could get my exams and papers graded before she decides to arrive!

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37 weeks today

Last night, both my brother and my cousin called and said they had been thinking about me.

Is that a sign?

37 weeks today…hard to believe only three or so more to go. The time is absolutely flying now, and we’re excited. Nervous, but feeling ready to get to the next phase and finally meet Eliza!

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Brand_New_World pregnancy Work

Why I’m freaking out

  • Eliza’s room is a total mess. Gifts in the floor. Nothing organized. Don’t even know what’s in there.
  • Need to wash all her clothes and sheets.
  • Need to finish packing my hospital bag.
  • Have a 20-page article to write before December 15. Barely started.
  • Mountains of papers to grade. Students begging to get them back.
  • Paperwork to fill out…tons and tons of paperwork.
  • Exams to write, classes to prepare, should think about next semester’s syllabi.
  • The house is a total disaster zone. Toilet and shower need scrubbing, floors need swept, dirty laundry everywhere…
  • Things we still need to buy…or do we?
  • 5 weeks to go. That’s it. Maybe less. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Brand_New_World pregnancy

Pregnant fun

Friday I had to do a three-hour glucose test, which involved four needles and fasting overnight. It was relatively painless, though. I’m anxious to get the results tomorrow.

My other health issue is pelvic pain, which is apparently caused by the hormone relaxin. Some women get it, some don’t. I happen to be one of the lucky ones, I guess. It is all worth it, though. And I can’t complain: my first two trimesters were relatively easy.

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Loot! Part II

Oh, how we love gift cards and cash. We got lots of other great things at our baby shower in Olive Hill, KY, but those were certainly greatly appreciated. It’s daunting to think of all the stuff we still need to buy.

Most unusual gift? Money that was rolled up and turned into sculpture: bills that were turned into a baby carriage! We did get a few things from our registries, also, which was a relief. I was beginning to think we spent all that time doing those for nothing!

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Eliza in 3D

Yesterday was a day we’ll never forget. We got 3D ultrasounds of little Eliza (see Flickr stream to the right). She is soooo cute, but then again we’re biased. The technology was absolutely stunning, and although we were in there for an hour and had to pay for these, it was absolutely worth every penny. It’s hard to describe seeing her face for the first time…

People are saying she looks more like me than Jason. The chubby cheeks and thighs are definitely mine!  Seeing these just made me all the more excited to see her in person in just 8 short weeks (or less)!